An increased need for lower levels of reliance on petrochemical-derived materials, due in part to the environmental impact of oil-based chemical feedstocks, compels our keen interest in the design and application of engineering polymers derived from renewable biofeedstocks. Quercetin and many of its natural derivatives have been well studied, displaying interesting bioactivities and possessing potentially beneficial properties, though virtually no investigations of its properties as a polymer backbone substituent have been made. Herein, we present a series of novel epoxy thermoset polymers developed from quercetin derivatives cross-linked with various natural materials, such as spermine, spermidine and other naturally derived compounds. Our strategy provides the benefit of possessing both monomers and cross-linkers which are renewable, unlike non-natural analogues synthesized from the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and many traditional cross-linkers. Thorough assessment of the thermal and mechanical properties of these networks will be presented in contrast to those of non-renewable engineering polymers used as protective coatings, adhesives, automotive materials and structural materials in wind-turbine blades. In order to tune the mechanical and thermal response of these systems, cure temperatures and durations will be shown to provide a direct route to control the cross-link density. In total, these epoxy resins represent a new class of environmentally-friendly networks with a potential for the replacement of petroleum-based polymeric systems.

Syntheses and characterizations of novel, quercetin-based thermoset polymers with natural cross-linkers

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.